MA S TER 

NEGATIVE 
NO.  92-80498-10 


MICROFILMED  1992 
COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES/NEW  YORK 


as  part  of  the  .      t^    •    *» 

"Foundations  of  Western  Civilization  Preservation  Project 


Funded  by  the 
NATIONAL  ENDOWMENT  FOR  THE  HUMANITIES 


Reproductions  may  not  be  made  without  permission  from 

Columbia  University  Library 


COPYRIGHT  STATEMENT 

The  copyright  law  of  the  United  States  -  Title  17,  United 
States  Code  -  concerns  the  making  of  photocopies  or  other 
reproductions  of  copyrighted  material... 

Columbia  University  Library  reserves  the  right  to  refuse  to 
accept  a  copy  order  if,  in  its  judgement,  fulfillment  of  the  order 
would  involve  violation  of  the  copyright  law. 


AUTHOR: 


PLAUTUS,  TITUS 


TITLE: 


MENAECHMI 


PLACE: 


[NEW  YORK] 


DA  TE : 


[1916] 


Master  Negalive  # 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES 
PRESERVATION  DEPARTMENT 


Vk-%OM^lrMD 


'.-» 


BIDLIOGRAPHIC  MICROFORM  TARGET 


Restrictions  on  Use: 


Original  Material  as  Filmed  -  Existing  Bibliographic  Record 


L^KS/PRUU      Books  I-UL/BIB        NYCG92-Bi024  5 

f^ecor-d   i   of    o   -   Record   added    today 


tD:NYCn92-LU0245 
CC:9668      UL1  :ani 
Cr^:nyu  L  :enq 

PC:s  Pl):.r.J6'' 


RIYP 

DCF:?         CSC 

INT:V        UPC 

kfiP 

UM: 


9 


31  :p 
}iOl): 
B I U  :  T 
Cf'l  :? 


FRM: 
SNR: 
F  ]  C  :  '? 
PSl  :? 
COL: 


Acquisitions 


NYCG~PT 


MMO:  i)H:  T'OL :  UM:  RR 

0^10  i^lMCl^cHfU: 

100    .1,  iM-uihiiT. ,     fitiic   Haosius. 

'/MS    14  1  ho    hrni'H>c|)i(ii  ;  hi  microf  oriii  I ,  I  b  I  he    or  iqinai    of 

en  01  :/* . 

?6(:)  I  HcHJ    Yoi  k,  i:bs-n.i-cl916  |. 

M)0  |).    5-lS. 

LU(4  URKi 

QO  02-12-92 


MS:    EL 
AIC 
CON 
ILC 
EML 


^'•77 


777  7 


AD:02-12--92 
UD:02-i2-92 

II:? 
GEN:    BSE: 


ohakespeare 


Comedy   of 


TFCHNICAL  MICROFORM  DATA 


REDUCTION     RATIO:      //  V 


FILM     SIZn:„_^j-^^^^,,^^^^ 
IMAGE  PLACEMENT:    lA  CS^  IB     IID 

DATE     FILMED:       ^j/x^fz^ INITIALS 

FILMED  BY:    RESEARCH  PUBLICATIONS.  INC  WOODBRIDGE.  CT 


r 


Association  for  Information  and  Image  Management 

1100  Wayne  Avenue,  Suite  1100 
Silver  Spring,  Maryland  20910 

301/587-8202 


/, 


Centimeter 

1         2        3 


nil 


"""M"['|"[" 


Inches 


^ 


m 


TTTTJ 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


8 


TTT 


10     n 

iiiliiiiliiiiliii 


Ifi  i  2.8 


|63 

I  71 

■  10 


l_UU. 


3.2 

3.6 

4,0 


1.4 


m 


12 

mjim, 


2.5 


2.2 


2.0 


1.8 


1.6 


13       14        15    mm 

iiliiiiliiiiliiiiliii 


"h 


MfiNUFfiCTURED   TO   flllM   STfiNDflRDS 
BY   fiPPLIED   IMOGE.     INC. 


r 


T  •  MACCI   •  PLAVTI 


MENAECHMOS 

FABVLAM  •  PALLIATAM  m 

AGET    •    GBEX    •    HAMILTONENSIS  « 


1 

I 

J 


IN  .   CAMPO  .   ACADEMICO 
D-    XVI   •  KAL  •  IVL  •  M   •  D  •  CCCC  •    XVI 
HORA  .   POST  .   MERIDIEM  •  VIII 


DISSIGNATOBES  •   SVNT  •  SOCIETATIS  •  UTTEKABVM 
LATINAKVM  .  HAMILTONENSIS  .  SODALES 


PERSONS 

PROLOGVS 

PENICVLVS  •  PARASITVS 
f     MENAECHMVS  I  •  ADVLESCENS 
(\     MENAECHMVS  II  •   ADVLESCENS 
!    EROTIVM  •  MERETRIX 
ft    CVLINDRVS  .  COQVOS 

MESSENIO  •  SERVOS 

ANCILLA 

MATRONA 

SENEX 

MEDICVS 


} 


A    MVTiE.    PEUSONiE 

J    DECIO      SERVOS 
•    NAVTAE  .    LORARII 
A    TIBICEN   .   SCAENICUa 


ACTOKES 

STVARTIVS  •  SAVNDERS 
GEORGIVS  •  MC  •  MILLAN 

PHILIPPVS  .  lESSVP     ., 
LVDOVICVS   •  BAVMER    || 
FREDERICVS  •  YEANDLE     * 
lACOBVS  •    MARSHALL 
GVLIELMVS  •  CALKINS 
OLIVERIVS  •  HVTCHINSON 
HAROLDVS  •  DODGE 
ERNESTVS  •  GRIFFITH 
lOANNES  •  TALLMADGE 


PAVLVS   •  HASBROVCK 
GVLIELMVS   •  lONES 


I 
f 


PLAVTI  MENAECHMI 
ARGVMENTVM 

Merchant  of  Sicily,  the  father  was; 

Entwined  about  his  heart  were  dear  twin  sons. 

Naught  served  him,  when  the  one  was  stol'n,  but  death. 

Adopted  by  his  grandsire,  the  other  twin 

Eke  grandsire's  wealth  and  brother's  name  receives, 

Conducts,  when  grown,  a  world-wide  search  to  find 

His  brother,  and  to  Epidamnus  comes. 

Menaechmus  here,  the  twin,  resides,  and  thus 

Ensues  confusion  great,  from  name  and  face 

Identical,  but  last  the  riddle's  solved. 


THE   MENAECHMI 

THE  ORIGINAL  OF  SHAKESPEARE'S 
'*  COMEDY  OF  ERRORS" 

"A  pleasant  and  fine  Conceited  Comaedie  by  the  most 
excellent  wittie  Poet  PLAUTUSr 


Presented  in  Latin,  under  the  Auspices  of  the 

Latin  Club  of  Hamilton  College,  Clinton, 

New  York,  by  Members  of  the  Club, 

on  the  Campus,  Friday,  June  i6, 

19 16,  at  eight  p.  m. 


THE    LATIN    CLUB 

D.  F.  Aldrich,  Prts.     F.  R.  Crumb,  Vice-Pres.     J.  W.  Campbell,  Sec.-Treas. 


D.  F.  Aldrich 
L.  J.  Baumer 
P.  T.  Bissell 
W.  S.  Calkins 
J.  M.  Campbell 
C.  K.  Chase 


C.  K.  Chase,  Regent. 

F.  R.  Crumb 
H.  S.  Dodge 
E.  S.  Griffith 
P.  D.  Hasbrouck 
H.  R.  Hastings 
W.  R.  Higgins 
F.  G.  Yeandle 


O.  W.  Hutchinson 
P.  C.  Jessup 
W.  K.  Jones 
G,  S.  McMillan 
S.  S.  Saunders 
J.  A.  Tallmadge 


The  Delphic  Hymn  to  Apollo  is  from  the  Reynach  transcription  of  the 
original  Greek  music,  and  is  sung  by  Mr.  H.  R.  Hastings. 

The  incidental  music  used  to  accompany  the  cantica  is  an  arrangement 
scored  for  flute  and  two  clarionettes,  from  the  Frederic  DeForest  Allen 
Phormio  music.    Grateful  acknowledgement  of  the  indebtedness  is  here  made. 

The  translations  found  in  this  libretto  are,  with  the  exception  of  the 
prologue,  from  the  free  English  rendering  of  the  Menaechmi,  published  in 
1595,  of  which  the  Elizabethan  minor  poet,  William  Warner,  is  supposed  to  be 
the  author. 


If  the  weather  prevents  the  use  of  the  out-door  theatre,  the  performance 
will  be  given  in  the  Gymnasium.     No  charge  is  made  for  admission. 


THE   MENAECHMI— Plautus 


THE  MENAECHMI 

A  play  of  Plautus  in  five  acts 


DRAMiVTIS    PERSONAE 

Prologus 

Peniculus A  parasite,  hapger-on  of  Menaechraus  I 

Menaechmus  1 A  citizen  of  Epidarrmus    }      Twin 

Menaechmus  II  (Sosicles) A  citizen  of  Syracuse    )      Brothers 

Erotium A  woman  of  Epidamnus,  loved  by  Menaechmus  I 

Cylindrus A  cook,  servant  of  Erotium 

Messenio Slave  of  Menaechmus  II 

Ancilla Maid  of  Erotium 

Matrona Wife  of  Menaechmus  I 

Senbx , Her  father 

Medicus Her  father's  physician 

Sailors  and  Slaves. 

Scene. — A  street  in  Epidamnus,  a  Greek  city  in  Illyria,  leading  on  the 
(players')  right  to  the  harbor,  and  on  the  left  to  the  centre  of  the  city.  In  the 
background  are  the  houses  of  Menaechmus  I  and  Erotium. 

Time. — Near  the  close  of  the  3rd  Century  B.  C. 


THl^    PROLOGUE 

Good  health  first  of  all  I  wish  to  us  all  here  present  at  this 
play.  I  bring  you  Plautus,  not  on  the  hand  but  on  the 
tongue  :  whom  I  beg  you  to  receive  with  gracious  attention. 
Now  hear  the  plot,  and  give  careful  ear,  which  I  will  set 
forth  as  briefly  as  I  may.  Note  a  habit  of  the  poets  in  their 
comedies  ;  they  place  the  scene  of  all  their  events  in  Athens, 
to  make  you  think  it  all  the  more  truly  Greek  :  I  will  never 
say  so  when  it  is  the  fact.  Greek  this  story  is  indeed,  but  not 
Attic  ;  it  is  Sicilian.  So  much  byway  of  preface  to  my  plot  ; 
and  now  for  the  plot  itself,  measured  not  by  tne  bushel  or  the 
peck  but  bv  the  whole  barn  ;  see  how  generous  is  my  measure 
in  telling  this  tale. 

There  was  a  merchant  at  Syracuse,  an  old  man,  who  had 
two  twin  sons,  boys  so  much  alike  that  the  nurse  who  fostered 
them  could  not  tell  which  was  which,  nay  not  their  own 
mother  who  bore  them  :  at  least  so  I  have  been  told  by  one 
who  saw  them.     I  have  not  seen  them  myself,   pray  do  not 


6 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


♦t,;nk  <!o      When  the  boys  were  seven  years  old   the  father 
Sted  alge^ship  wit'h  merchandise  -  -e  of  the  tw.ns  he 
took  aboard   and  sailed  away  with  him  to  Sicily  o"  ^^^^'"^ 
bent     the  other  he  left  at  home  with  the  mother.     When  he 
came'  to  Tarentum.  it  happened  that  there  were  games  afoot^ 
a  c^owS  of  visitors,  as  usual  when  there  are  games  -the  boy 
ient  astray  from  his  father  among  the  crowd.     A  merchant 
Tf  Epidamnum  who  happened  to  be  there,  carried  oS    he  W 
?o  Epidamnum.     The  boy  thus  gone    his  father  1^  h^^^ 
and  before  many  days  had  past  he  died  ot^at  distress  a 
Tarentum       Now  when  the  news  came  to  the  child  s  grana 
father  at  Syracuse,   that  one  of  the  twins  had  been  lost  and 
the  father  wis  dead  in  Tarentum.  the  grandfather  changed  the 
Lame  of  fhrother  twin,  and  called  him  by  the  -me  name  as 

the  lost  one  ;  so  dearly  did  he  love  the  ^^h^ld  \'?^^\^f„VSad 
To  make  all  clear.  I  say  once  again,  that  both  the  twins  naa 

the  same  name. 

Now  I  must  post  it  a^ain  to  Epidamnum,  that  I  may  tell 
Now  i  "^"s\P";'         ^       X.  of  you  gentlemen  has  any 

you  the  whole  tale  to  a  1.      ii  any  ui  yu    ^  holdlv 

Commission  for  Epidamnum,   let  him  now  declare  i    boldly, 
not  forgetting  to  P-vide  the  wherewithaL      Pay  yo-  -onej, 
or  vou'll  waste  vour  pams  ;  but  it  you  ao  pay,   yu 
more      The  Epidamian   of  whom  I    spoke  lately,   the  «ian 
Tat  stole   the  child,  had   no  children   but   only   wealth :  he 

and^makes  him  his  heir  when  he  died  The  lad  had  a^l  his 
great  fortune,  and  here  he  lives,  the  stolen  ^wm-  Now  tne 
Sher  twin  who  lives  in  Syracuse,  has  come  this  day  to 
Sokiamnum  with  his  slave,  to  look  for  thi.  twin  brother  of 
hi?  ?hisTs  Epidamnum  city  while  our  play  goes  on  when 
another  play  shall  be  acted  this  stage  will  be  another  place, 
just  as  the  companies  of  actors  often  change. 

I  go.    Farewell,  ye  men  of  Hamilton  ! 

And  thou  our  Jove,  our  Stryker,  guardian,  Prex, 

Whose  strong  arm  strikes  untiring  blows,  farewell. 

E'en  ye  professors,  great  and  boastful  ones, 

Ever  the  foe  of  youth  and  jollity, 

For  once,  with  fair,  unbiased  minds,  pray  judge. 

But  most  of  all,   fare  j/^  well,   lusty  youths. 

High  honor  studes,  and  lend  this  play  y'r  ears. 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


ACT  I 

Scene  1 

Enttr  Peniculus,  a  parasite 

Pen.  Peniculus  was  given  me  for  my  name  when  I  was 
young,  because  like  a  broom  I  swept  all  clean  away,  where- 
soe'er  I  become — namely,  all  the  victuals  which  are  set  before 
me.  Now  in  my  judgment,  men  that  clap  iron  bolts  on  such 
captives  as  they  would  keep  safe,  and  tie  those  servants 
in  chains,  who  they  think  will  run  away,  they  commit  an 
exceeding  great  folly.  If  ye  would  keep  a  man  without  all 
suspicion  of  running  away  from  ye,  the  surest  way  is  to  tie 
him  with  meat,  drink,  and  ease  :  let  him  ever  be  idle,  eat  his 
belly  full,  and  carouse  while  his  skin  will  hold,  and  he  shall 
never,  I  warrant  ye,  stir  a  foot.  These  strings  to  tie  one  by 
the  teeth,  pass  all  the  bands  of  iron,  steel,  or  what  metal 
soever,  for  the  more  slack  and  easy  ye  make  them,  the  faster 
still  they  tie  the  party  which  is  in  them.  I  speak  this  upon 
experience  of  myself,  who  am  now  going  for  Menaechmus, 
there  willingly  to  be  tied  to  his  good  cheer :  he  is  commonly 
so  exceeding  bountiful  and  liberal  in  his  fare,  as  no  marvel 
though  such  guests  as  myself  be  drawn  to  his  table,  and  tied 
there  in  his  dishes  Now  because  I  have  lately  been  a 
stranger  there,  I  mean  to  visit  him  at  dinner ;  for  my 
stomach  methinks  even  thrusts  me  into  the  fetters  of  his 
dainty  fare.  But  yonder  I  see  his  door  open,  and  himself 
ready  to  come  forth.      [Stands  aside,] 

Scene  2 

Menaechmus  I,     Peniculus 

Menaechmus  enters,  talking  back  to  his  wife  within,  while  Peniculus  stands 
to  one  side  unobserved.     The  opening  lines  of  the  scene  follow. 

Men.  If  ye  were  not  such  a  brabbling  fool  and  madbrain 
scold  as  ye  are,  ye  would  never  thus  cross  your  husband  in 
all  his  actions. — 'Tis  no  matter,  serve  me  thus  once  more, 
and  I'll  send  ye  home  to  your  dad  with  a  vengeance.  I  can 
never  go  forth  o'doors,  but  ye  ask  me  whither  I  go  .-*  what  I 
do  >  what  business  ?  what  I  fetch  ?  what  I  carry  ?  as  though 
ye  were  a  Constable  or  a  Toll-gatherer.  I  have  pampered 
ye  too  much  :  ye  have  servants,  wool,  flax,  and  all  things 
necessary  to  busy  ye  withall,  yet  ye  watch  and  wonder 
whither  I  go.  Well,  sith  it  is  so,  ye  shall  now  have  some 
cause  :  I  mean  to  dine  this  day  abroad  with  a  sweet  friend 
of  mine. 


8 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


Pen.  \aside-\  Yea,  marry,  now  comes  he  to  the  point  that 
pricks  me  ;  this  last  speech  galls  me  as  much  as  it  would  do 
his  wife.     If  he  dine  not  at  home,  I  am  dressed. 

Men      Would  every  man  could  tame  his  shrew  as  well  as  I 
do  mine.     I  have  now  filched  away  a  fine  riding  cloak  of  my 
wife's,  which  I  mean  to  bestow  upon  one  that  I  love  better 
Nay,  if  she  be  so  wary  and  watchful  over  me,  I  count  it  an 

alms-deed  to  deceive  her.  ,    ,     ,         >  t  ;„  thtit 

Pen.  {coming  forzvard]  Come,   what  share  have  I  m  that 

same  ? 

Men.   Out,  alas,  I  am  taken ! 

Pen,   True,  but  by  your  friend. 

Men.    What,  mine  own  Peniculus  ? 

Pen.  Yours  i'faith,  body  and  goods,  if  I  had  any. 

Menaechmus  shows  to  Peniculus  the  cloak  he  has  stolen  from  his  wife   to 

is  to  order  for  thera  both  at  Erotium's  house,  ^hen  the  latter  enters. 

Scene  3 

Erotium,     Peniculus,     Menaechmus  I 

Menaechmus  presents  the  stolen  cloak  to  Erotium  and  discusses  the  menu 
of  the  luncheon  n^detail.  He  promises  to  return  from  the  Forum  with  Peni- 
culus when  ^^^^^^^    has  been  time  to  market,  and  to  cook  the  necessary  food. 

Scene  4 

Erotium,  Cylindrus 

The  cook  is  Riven  instructions  about  the  marketing.  .He  says  he  wiH  have 
to  priide  for  ten  instead  of  three,  since  Peniculus  "easily  does  duty  for  eight 
persons." 

ACT  II 

Scene  1 

Menaechmus  II,  Messenio 

Menaechmus  of  Syracuse  enters  from   the  harbor  road,   with  his  faithful 
bodv  servant  Messenio!  and  with  sailors  carrying  the  baggage.   Messenio  protes  s 

or^  learned   definitlly  of   his   death.     The  servant  then   urges   that   at   least 
LXve  Epidan,nL  as  soon  as  possible   -.^'^e  |r°und  of  .  s  b.ng  an  ^ex- 

L^:flpM\'.rsra";ir  r^f  outr^/eourexpe^ses/exceeding  i{all  riot  and 
^cWiSss-,  and,   I'^hear,   as  £""  °f"baldsparasj^^es    drunk    d,^^^^^^^^^ 

re'?s  re^c";t"eVS°o^"^^  -  -  --•    V^Sl^rn^^trh^re  t^o 


THE   MENAECHMI— Plautus 


scape  with  as  light  cost  as  in  other  places.  The  very  name  shows  the  nature, 
no  man  comes  hither  stn^  daynno."'  Menaechmus'  answer  is  the  safeguarding 
of  his  money  by  taking  back  his  purse  from  Messenio. 


Scene  2 

Cylindrus,  Menaechmus  II,  Messenio 

The  comedy  of  errors  begins  when  Cylindrus,  the  cook,  enters  and  accosts 
the  wrong  Menaechmus. 

Cyl.  I  have  tickling  gear  here  i'  faith  for  their  dinners. 
It  grieves  me  to  the  heart  to  think  how  that  cormorant  knave 
Peniculus  must  have  his  share  in  these  dainty  morsels.  But 
what  }  Is  Menaechmus  come  already,  before  I  could  come 
from  the  market  }  Menaechmus,  how  do  ye,  sir  }  How  haps 
it  ye  come  so  soon  } 

Me7u     God  a  mercy,  my  good  friend,  dost  thou  know  me  } 

Cyl.  Know  ye  .^  no,  not  I.  Where's  mouldychaps  that 
must  dine  with  ye  .-*     A  murrain  on  his  manners. 

Men.      Whom  meanest  thou,  good  fellow  } 

Cyl.  Why  Peniculus'  worship,  that  whorson  lick-trencher, 
your  parasitical  attendant. 

Mefi.  What  Peniculus  }  what  attendant  }  my  attendant } 
Surely  this  fellow  is  mad. 

Mess  \to  Men.]  Did  I  not  tell  ye  what  cony-catching 
villains  you  should  find  here  } 

Cyl.  Menaechmus,  hark  ye,  sir,  ye  come  too  soon  back 
again  to  dinner  ;   I  am  but  returned  from  the  market. 

Men.  Fellow,  here,  thou  shalt  have  money  of  me,  go  get 
the  priest  to  sacrifice  for  thee.  I  know  thou  art  mad,  else 
thou  wouldst  never  use  a  stranger  thus. 

Cyl.  Alas,  sir,  Cylindrus  was  wont  to  be  no  stranger  to 
you.      Know  ye  not  Cylindrus  } 

Men.  Cylindrus,  or  Coliendrus,  or  what  the  devil  thou 
art,  I  know  not,  neither  do  I  care  to  know. 

CyL     I  know  you  to  be  Menaechmus. 

Men.  Thou  shouldst  be  in  thy  wits,  in  that  thou  namest 
me  so  right  ;   but  tell  me,  where  hast  thou  known  me  } 

Cyl.  Where  }  Even  here,  where  ye  first  fell  in  love  with 
my  mistress  Erotium. 

Men.      I  neither  have  lover,  neither  know  I  who  thou  art. 

Cyl.  Know  ye  not  who  I  am,  who  fills  your  cup  and 
dresses  your  meat  at  our  house  } 

Mess.  What  a  slave  is  this  !  that  I  had  somewhat  to 
break  the  rascal's  pate  withal. 


10 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


Men,     At  your  house,  when  as  I  never  came  in  Epidamnum 

till  this  day  ?  ,      „  .  j      u     ^    > 

Cyl      Oh,  that's  true !     Do  ye  not  dwell  in  yonder  house  t 
Men,     Foul  shame  light  upon  them  that  dwell  there,  for 

^^CyT    Questionless,  he  is  mad  indeed,  to  curse  himself  thus. 

Menaechmus  is  mystified.  Messenio  feels  justified.  ^^^^  t^^^°°^/ ^f  ^J/^ 
ing  Men^chmus  to  be  joking,  tells  him  not  to  go  far  away  as  luncheon  will 
soon  be  ready.     He  then  goes  into  the  house  to  report  to  Erotium. 

Scene  3 

Erotium,  Menaechmus  II,  Messenio 
The  confusion  increases  with  the  entry  of  Erotium.  who.  after  calling  back 
instructions  to  her  maid,  unsuspectingly  accosts  the  unknown  Men^f^us  and 
tells  him  his  luncheon  is  ready.     In  spite  of  Menaechraus    denials    she   en 
deavors  to  prove  to  him   that  she  does  know  him.     She  reminds  him  of  his 
order   or  the  meal  for  Peniculus  and  himself,  of  his  gift  of  the  cloak   and  she 
even  correctly  states  his  pedigree.     Eventually,  however    in  sj^ite  of  the  pr^ 
tests  and   warnings  of  his  servant,    Menaechmus  decides  tha     it  is  foohsh  to 
hrow  away  such  1  chance  for  a  free  dinner,  and  tells   Erotium  that  he  had 
refused  to  recognize  her  only  from  fear  lest  Messenio  inform  his  wife  of  what 
he  has  done.      He  promises  that  he  will  take  the  newly  presented  cloak  to  the 
embroiderers  and  have  it  retrimmed  for  her.     Before  entering  her  house  he 
f^tructs  Messenio  to  leave  the  sailors  and  the  baggage  at  a  tavern  and  to 
return  for  him  before  sunset. 

Scene  4 

Peniculus 

Pen      Thirty  years,  I  think,  and  more,  have  I  played  the 
knave,  vet  never  played  I  the  foolish  knave  as  I  have  done 
this  morning.      I  follow  Menaechmus,  and  he  goes  to  the  Hall 
where  now  the  Sessions  are  holden  ;  there  thrusting  ourselves 
into    the  press  of  people,   when  I  was  in  midst  of    all  the 
throng,  he  gave  me  the  slip,  that  I  could  never  more  set  eye 
on  him,  and  I  dare  swear,  came  directly  to  dmner.      Ihat  1 
would  he  that  first  devised  these  Sessions  were  hanged,  and 
all  that  ever  came  of  him,  'tis  such  a  hindrance  to  men  that 
have  belly  businesses  in  hand.      Men  that  have  nothing  else 
to  do,  that  do  neither  bid  any  man,  nor  are  themselves  bidden 
to  dinner,   such  should  come  to  Sessions,   not  we  that  have 
these  matters  to  look  to.     If  it  were  so,  I  had  not  thus  lost 
my  dinner  this  day  ;  which  I  think  in  my  conscience  he  did 
even  purposely  cozen  me  of.     Yet  I  mean  to  go  see.     If  I 
can   but  light  upon  the  reversion,   I  may  perhaps  get  my 
penny-worths.      But  how  now  >     Is  this  Menaechmus  coming 
away   from    thence.?     Dinner   done,    and    all    despatched.? 
What  execrable  luck  have  I ! 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


11 


Scene  5 

Menaechmus  H,  Peniculus 

Menaechmus  (of  Syracuse)  entering  from  Erotium's  house,  calls  back  to 
her  that  he  will  see  to  the  remodeling  of  her  cloak.  The  wreath  on  his  head 
shows  that  he  has  been  dining  ;  he  boasts  that  he  has  dined  exceeding  well,  with- 
out cost,  and  has  acquired  a  fine  cloak  in  addition.  Peniculus,  incensed  beyond 
the  point  of  endurance  by  what  he  considers  the  perfidy  of  his  patron,  up- 
braids him  for  having  given  him  the  slip  at  the  Forum,  while  he  secretly  con- 
sumed the  meal.  The  upshot  of  the  violent  charges  and  equally  violent  denials 
is  that  Peniculus  rushes  into  the  house  of  Menaechmus  I  to  inform  the  latter's 
wife  of  his  scandalous  actions. 


Scene  6 

Ancilla,  Menaechmus  H 

Erotium's  maid  brings  a  bracelet  to  Menaechmus  with  a  request  from 
Erotium  to  have  it  made  over  at  the  goldsmith's.  Ready  to  accept  all  that  he 
can  get,  he  promises  compliance.  The  maid  then  begs  of  him  the  gift  of  a 
pair  of  pendant  earrings  for  herself.  As  she  will  not  furnish  the  gold,  he  re- 
fuses. As  soon  as  he  is  alone,  he  thinks  it  high  time  to  leave  with  his  booty 
(the  cloak  and  bracelet).  Before  going  off  toward  the  harbor  (on  the  right)  he 
throws  his  chaplet  down  the  street  in  the  opposite  direction,  lest  he  be  tracked. 


ACT    III 

Scene  1 

Matrona,     Peniculus 

[In  order  to  be  revenged  for  the  supposed  perfidy  of  Menaechmus,  Peni- 
culus has  reported  to  Menaechmus'  wife  the  theft  of  the  mantle;  they  enter 
together.] 

Ma.  Thinks  he  I  will  be  made  such  a  sot,  and  to  be  still 
his  drudge,  while  he  prowls  and  purloins  all  that  I  have,  to 
give  his  trulls  } 

Pen.  Nay,  hold  your  peace,  we'll  catch  him  in  the  nick. 
This  way  he  came,  in  his  garland  forsooth,  bearing  the  cloak 
to  the  dyers.  And  see,  I  pray,  where  the  garland  lies  ;  this 
way  he  is  gone.  See,  see,  where  he  comes  again  now  without 
the  cloak. 

Ma.      What  shall  I  now  do  } 

Pen.      What  .^     That  which  ye  ever  do  ;  bait  him  for    life. 
Ma.     Surely  I  think  it  best  so. 

Pen.  Stay,  we  will  stand  aside  a  little  ;  ye  shall  catch  him 
unawares. 


12 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


Scene  2 

Menaechmus  I,     Matrona.     Peniculus 

Menaechmus  has  been  detained,  sorely  against  his  will  by  the  lf«'-s»i'  °j 
a  client  aUhe  Forum.  He  curses  the  whole  system  of  chen  s  and  patrons  and 
expresses  the  fear  that  Erotium  will  be  angry  with  him  fordelaymg  luncheon. 

The  sieht  of  his  wife  and  Peniculus,  just  as  he  is  about  to  enter  Erotiuin's 
house  CO  ers  him  with  confusion.  Observing  her  ar,ger,  Menaechmus  at- 
tempt's to  soo  he  her,  and  asks  the  cause  of  her  displeasure.  At  one  t.me  she 
refuses  to  answer  his  questions,  and,  at  another,  upbra.ds  h.m  bitter  y.  In 
fhs  she  is  encouraged  by  Peniculus,  who  does  some  cnidmg  on  his  own 
Account  Menaechm^us  of  course  denies  having  lunched  wthout  his  paras.te 
dedar°ng  he  is  but  now  returned  from  the  Forum;  but  Peniculus  w.th  the 
vfs  on  oTiheVther  Menaechmus  in  his  mind,  fails  '°  b/  'i°-'"-'^ErolT  bui 
„us  is  forced  re.uctantly^o  a^-''  .'^^,^1°^  .^need  tv"r  reTurn^homl 
^"t":t  It  TuVre  enters  hevhou^^^^^  having  now  secured  nothing 

Tro^eittr  wife  orTusband,  goes  in  disgust  to  the  I;o-"  -  J"-' ^^^^--^ 
elsewhere  Left  alone,  Menaechmus  plans  to  get  the  cloak  back  from  Erotium 
by  the  promTse  of  a  new  and  better  one;  he  knocks  at  the  door  of  her  house. 

Sceue  3 

Erotium.     Menaechmus  I 

Erotium,  surprised  at  seeing  him  standing  there  P^'i'^'y  j"^'.'^ ^';fh^s 
pnter  He  declines  but  requests  the  return  of  the  cloak,  since  his  wife  has 
dUcover"d  the  the?t';  he  promises  a  substitute.  Bewildered,  .^hejeminds  h.m 
that  he  took  the  cloak,  but  shortly  before  to  the  embroiderers  Mutua 
recriminations  ensue,  especially  heated  on  her  part  At  the  last  '^e  accuses 
him  of  ungentlemanly  conduct  and  in  high  dudgeon  leaves  him.  Rejected  by 
boTh  his  life  and  Erotium,  he  retires  disconsolate  to  seek  advice  from  his 
friends. 

ACT  IV 

Hceue  1 

Menaechmus  II,     Matrona 

Menaechmus  II  returns  from  the  harbor  district.  ^^i?|,^°?};i"g  ^°^, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
Messenio  The  wife  of  Menaechmus  I,  seemg  him  with  the  cloak,  supposes 
So  be  her  husband  returned  from  Erotium.  She  dec  des  to  "go  nng  a  peal 
through  both  his  ears  for  his  dishonest  behaviour.''  Menaechmus  is  indiff- 
erenuo  her  shrewish  abuse,  at  the  same  time  that  he  denies  her  accusations^ 
Goaded,  as  she  feels,  beyond  endurance,  she  declares  she  will  live  with  him 
no  longer  and  sends  a  slave  to  call  her  father. 

Scene  2 

Senex.     Matrona,     Menaechmus  II 

The  old  man  enters  without  observing,  at  first,  his  daughter  and  Menaechmus 
at  thl  further  end  of  the  stage  He  complains  of  the  infir-ties  of  age^  -h  ch 
make  it  difficult  for  him  to  hasten  ;  then  expresses  his  fear  ^^^^^^^3^^;^"^^^^^^^^ 
jealous  and  shrewish  nature  has  caused  her  again  to  quarre  ^>^^^^^^«;,^^^^ 
She  approaches  and  acquaints  him  with  her  case  ^g^^^^  .  ^"^^'^^^^^d'^ran 
Theft  of  cloak  and  bracelet,  and  brazen  friendship  for  Erotium.     The  old  man 


THE   MENAECHMI— Plautus 


13 


reminds  her  that  her  temper  is  enough  to  drive  any  man  from  home.  After  some 
further  discussion  he  attempts  to  cross-question  his  supposed  son-in-law.  Me- 
naechmus finally  loses  his  temper  at  the  questions,  which  he  naturally  is  quite 
unable  to  comprehend;  he  succeeds  only  in  convincing  the  others  that  he  is  mad 
and  that  he  should  be  placed  in  confinement.  The  following  dialogue  then 
takes  place,  in  one  of  the  most  amusing  scenes  in  the  play. 

Men.  [aside]  What }  they  say  now  I  am  mad  :  the  best 
way  for  me  is  to  feign  myself  mad  indeed,  so  shall  I  be  rid  of 
them. 

Ma.     Look  how  he  stares  about,  how  he  gapes  ! 

Sen.      Come  away,  daughter  :  come  from  him. 

Men.  Bacchus,  Apollo,  Phoebus,  do  ye  call  me  to  come 
hunt  in  the  woods  with  you  }  I  see,  I  hear,  I  come,  I  fly  ; 
but  I  cannot  get  out  of  these  fields.  Here  is  an  old  mastiff 
bitch  stands  barking  at  me  ;  and  by  her  stands  an  old  goat 
that  bears  false  witness  against  many  a  poor  man. 

Sen.     Out  upon  him.  Bedlam  fool. 

Ma,     Here,  father  :  what  shall  we  do  } 

Sen.  What  if  I  fetch  my  folks  hither,  and  have  him 
carried  in  before  he  do  any  harm  ^ 

Men.  [aside']  How  now  .^  they  will  carry  me  in  if  I  look 
not  to  myself  :  I  were  best  to  scare  them  better  yet.  [Aloud] 
Dost  thou  bid  me,  Phoebus,  to  tear  this  dog  in  pieces  with 
my  nails  ?     If  I  lay  held  on  him,  I  will  do  thy  commandment. 

Sen.      Get  thee  into  thy  house,  daughter  ;  away  quickly. 

[Exit  Ma.] 

Men.  She  is  gone  :  yea,  Apollo,  I  will  sacrifice  this  old 
beast  unto  thee. 

Sen.     Come  not  near  me,  sirrah. 

Men.  Many  things  thou  commandest  me,  Apollo  ;  wouldst 
thou  have  me  harness  up  these  wild  horses,  and  then  climb 
up  into  the  chariot,  and  so  over-ride  this  old  stinking  toothless 
lion  }  So  now  I  am  in  the  chariot,  and  I  have  hold  on  the 
reins  :  here  is  my  whip.  Hait  !  come,  ye  wild  jades,  make  a 
hideous  noise  with  your  stamping  :  hait,  I  say  :  will  ye  not 

go  .'* 

Sen.      What  }  doth  he  threaten  me  with  his  horses  1 
Men.      Hark  !   now    Apollo    bids  me   ride    over    him    that 
stands  there,  and  kill  him.      How  now  .?  who  pulls  me  down 
from  my  chariot  by  the  hairs  of  my  head  1     Oh,  shall  I  not 
fulfil  Apollo's  commandment } 

Sen.  See,  see,  what  a  sharp  disease  this  is,  and  how  well 
he  was  even  now.  I  will  fetch  a  physician  straight,  before 
he  grow  too  far  into  this  rage.  Exit. 


14 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


Men,     Are  they  both  gone  now  ?     I'll  then  hie  me  away  to 
my  ship  :  'tis  time  to  be  gone  from  hence.  Extt. 

ACT  V 

Scene  1 

Senex 

The  old  man  complains  of  the  slowness  of  the  doctor  whom  he  has  sum- 
moned. 

Scene  2 

Medicus,     Senex 
The  doctor  and  the  old  man  discuss  the  ailment  of  Menaechmus. 

Scene  3 

Menaechmns  I,     Senex,     Medicus 

Menaecnmus  curses  his  luck  in  having  offended  both  his  wife  and  Erotium, 
and  swears  vengeance  on  Peniculus  for  having  betrayed  him.  The  doctor,  a 
pompous  quack,  now  interviews  him,  prompted  by  the  old  man.  He  asks  about 
his  ability  to  sleep,  the  condition  of  his  stomach,  even  the  color  of  the  wine  he 
prefers.  As  Menaechmus'  rage  increases,  the  doctor  gives  an  emphatic  verdict 
for  insanity.  He  suggests  Menaechmus'  taking  the  hellebore  cure  for  twenty 
days  anS  asks  the  old  man  to  have  his  slaves  forcibly  bring  him  to  the  doctor  s 
office  for  treatment.     The  scene  ends  with  the  following  lines  by  Menaechmus. 

Men.  Are  they  both  gone  .?  Good  gods,  what  meaneth 
this  >  These  men  say  I  am  mad,  who  without  doubt  are 
mad  themselves.  I  stir  not,  I  fight  not,  I  am  not  sick.  I 
speak  to  them,  I  know  them.  Well,  what  were  I  now  best 
to  do  ?  I  would  go  home,  but  my  wife  shuts  me  forth  a 
doors  Erotium  is  far  out  with  me  too.  Even  here  I  will 
rest  me  till  the  evening  :  I  hope  by  that  time,  they  will  take 
pity  on  me.      [Seats  himself  apart.^ 

Scene  4 

Messenio,     [Menaechmus  I] 

Messenio  returns  for  his  master.  He  expresses  the  belief  that  his  master 
will  soon  reward  his  faithful  service  by  freeing  him.  He  knocks,  and  enters 
Erotium's  house. 

Scene  5 

Senex,     Menaechmus  I,     Lorarii,     Messenio 

The  old  man  enters  with  four  slaves  He  points  out  Menaechmus  and 
orders  them  to  pick  him  up  and  carry  him  off.  Then  follows  the  boisterous 
Lht  scene  In  the  midst  of  it  Messenio  comes  out  and  aids  his  (supposed)  master, 
the  slaves  arc  put  to  flight.    The  servant  then  asks  his  freedom.    He  considers 


THE  MENAECHMI— Plautus 


15 


the  protestations  of  Menaechmus  as  merely  a  joke,  and  finally  secures  permis- 
sion from  Menaechmus  to  be  free,  "as  far  as  he  is  concerned."  Overjoyed  at 
what  he  considers  his  master's  liberality,  he  returns  for  the  baggage  and  pocket- 
book.  Menaechmus  is  pleased  at  the  prospect  of  getting  such  a  windfall  and 
tells  him  to  hasten.  Menaechmus  enters  Erotium's  house  to  make  another  effort 
to  secure  the  cloak. 

Scene  6 

Menaechmus  II,     Messenio 

Messenio  has  gone  only  a  few  blocks  when  he  meets  the  other  Menaechmus 
(his  real  master),  whom  he  supposes  to  have  intercepted  him  in  jest.  While  the 
servant  and  the  bewildered  master  are  still  talking,  Menaechmus  I  enters  from 
Erotium's  house. 

Scene  7 

Menaechmus  I,     Messenio,     Menaechmus  II 

In  the  final  scene,  Messenio  is  at  first  utterly  at  a  loss  to  determine  which  is 
his  master.  The  general  bewilderment  postpones  for  a  few  minutes  the  natural 
solution  of  the  difficulty.  Messenio  is  the  first  to  recover  his  wits  and  to 
attempt  a  complete  identification.  The  joy  of  the  brothers  is  unbounded,  and 
Messenio  is  given  his  freedom  by  Menaechmus  II.  The  play  ends  with  a  noisy 
announcement,  by  Messenio,  of  the  approaching  auction  of  all  the  effects  of 
Menaechmus  I  (his  wife  included),  preparatory  to  the  removal  of  Menaechmus 
I  and  Menaechmus  II  to  the  city  of  Syracuse.  In  conclusion,  he  requests  the 
applause  of  the  audience. 


•  » •  • 


•       •       • 


cy/O 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERS 


0025979124 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

This  book  is  due  on  the  date  indicated  below  or  at  the 
exoSon  of  a  definite  period  after  the  date  of  borrowmg, 
r^^Sd  by  the  rules  of  the  Library  or  by  specxal  ar- 
rangement with  the  Librarian  m  charge.  ^  ^  J/- //<''. 


DATE  BORROWED 


DATE  DUE 


DATE  BORROWED 


DATE  DUE 


cs«( 


as»)Mioo  I 


^ 


^^ 


^ 


APR  2    1938 


^ 


3     »  1** 


.%"L 


i-i     "Jf^O.       V 


-   1  -*  ..      ^        . 


Ms 


5CCM     OC-    t   ^XS      ^^     ~ 


jjiv*tfr  It^     ?»■ 


.»<'^^         t  - 


*  t^-  »iA  V.3  ^t^yi     '" 


M.*        I. 

^  J 


I«i/\,.M*(5t    ^Jt 


:i 


5K"<?^  «it<^ 


f   11^ 


'^''feMig'VJ  '^-r- 


1  gggcigyc  tk^t- 


-.^.j^ii  .„;^j!^>i- 


>!iSflu'£iiJtii5iC>Mf{S3jsk;i;;r', 


« 


.  /Hfr-'ira^vfe^io 


^    '  K  -I     t 


•■Vr    *-^  »'«»nr5*'«S« 


fS.i«i.¥tl^ttC^.. 


mnm.^^:'ii^M\'^m^^^^^^m&  ■■ 


:  Uv  , 


'tSf  '=5 


J-  ■M^f'^     VM         ~ 


■J  "S'r-rj-* 


